This was intended to be our last foray into the big outdoors before we reach New Zealand. Uspallata, although not nestled in the mountains was a friendly little town. We stayed in a tinpot little hotel where the owner could not do enough to make us welcome. Bringing us tea in our room, giving us the low down on all the local sights, turning on our shower (ok, that was a little too helpful) and generally improving Argentina's odds in getting the topspot when responding to the often asked 'which is your favourite country' question.

Our day trekking turned out to be a relatively easy walk with throngs of other tourists to the apparently famous Puente del Inca (Inca Bridge) which is really just a piece of rock with a river that runs through it making it appear like a bridge. Pretty, but we were a little underwhelmed as we'd driven quite a few miles to see it. However, we set off on a walk through the valley which took us in view of Aconagua, the highest mountain in South America (and in the western and southern hemispheres) and in the mountain range where they filmed 7 years in Tibet, Alison was disappointed not to bump into Brad Pitt.

The only cashpoint in town was out of use so instead of the final Argentinian steak that we were looking forward to we eked out our final meal on our last few pesos and an early night.

We also said goodbye to Gemma, our lovely travel buddy who we've been with off and on since August at the orphanage. Our 'Sopranos' supplier, fashion adviser and all round general activity co-ordinator will be sorely missed by us both.